Page 12 of Savage Boss
“I wasn't informed—” I begin then pause. “That will take all night. In fact, I can't get it done in one night. I haven't even looked at it.”
“I thought you said you’re really good at what you do.”
“I am good at what I do. But I can't pull off the impossible. SEC audits take weeks to prepare for?—”
It’s impossible to miss the smirk on his face as he casually reaches out and pushes the button to start the elevator again. “Finish the audit by tomorrow, or you’re fired.”
“I told you that can't be done in one night.”
“And I’m telling you, if you want to keep this job, you had better finish it tonight. You were just saying that you want people to take you seriously on your merit. Is that true or not? Are you actually willing to do whatever it takes?”
“Fine,” I snap. “I’ll do it in one night. Watch me.”
“Good.”
I want to smack the self-satisfied smirk from his face. As soon as the doors open I rush out of the elevator ahead of him. I don’t stop when Dmitri—Mr. Smirnov—stops to talk to the guard at the front desk. I march out without looking back, slinging my tote bag over my shoulder.
I refuse to look around me, which is why I entirely miss the approaching figure until it’s too late.
“Clara.”
The voicestopsme dead in my tracks. My stomachdrops, and cold dreadgripsme as Iturntoward the man in jeans and a t-shirt, entirely out of place in the sea of Manhattan commuters in their business suits.
“What do you want?” I see the way he frowns at the ice in my voice, but I don’t care.
Helooksup at the buildingtoweringover us andstickshis hands in his pockets as though he’snonthreatening. “Do you work here now?”
“Where I’m working is none of your business,” I hiss. “But I’m guessing you already know the answer. What did you do? Takean illegal look at the employment records? Because I know Emily didn't tell you.”
“Your bitch of a friend wouldn’t tellme jack shit.” Ibackaway when he comes closer,watchinghis face and body language out of habit and caution. Ican't helpbutflinchwhen hetakesone of his hands out of his pocket. “I’m worried about you, Clara.”
“Worried?” I also can't helpmy sarcastic laugh. “Giveme a break, Dean. The only thing you’reworriedaboutisthe fact that youdon’t haveme under your thumb anymore.”
“I’m not shitting you, Clara. The Smirnov Corporation and its president are bad news. I came here to warn you. Dmitri Smirnov, the president and CEO, is a Russian mob boss.”
I laugh again. “I don't have time for your bullshit, Dean. I have a train to catch. And do not follow me, or this time, I really will call Emily’s fiancé. How do you think that’s going to look on your record and to your squad? Being arrested by the FBI?”
I turn to leave, but he wraps a hand around my wrist and jerks me back.
“Getoff me.” I try to pull my arm away, but he’s too strong.
“Not until you listen to me. Dmitri Smirnov is really bad news. I’m not lying to you. He’s dangerous, a powerful Bratva boss. We’re investigating him.”
“You’re—” His words stop my struggle for a moment. Dean is a cop in organized crime, and he would know. Oddly enough, I believe him. I don't know why, and I don't want to, but somehow, I don't think this is one of his schemes to get me back.
“You didn't know, did you?”
I yank my wrist from Dean’s grasp and open the distance between us again. “I’m working for a legitimate company, Dean. I did all my homework before I applied. Whatever the CEO is up to is not my concern. My concern is the legitimate business this company does.”
“Did you not hear what I said?” he demands. His shoulders tighten, and his hands, now both out of his pockets, are clenching into fists. There’s a darkness in his eyes that I recognize that makes me back up another few steps. “The guy is dangerous, Clara. I’m trying to protect you. You need to get away from him right now.”
“Oh, so now you care about me and my safety? Like when you shoved me into the dresser? The only one I need to get away from right now is you, Dean,” I shoot back, stepping farther away. “My life is not your business anymore. I told you I don’t want to see you again, and I meant it. If you come near me again, I’m going to get a restraining order?—”
Dean shakes his head. “You’ve always been so fucking stubborn, Clara.”
With the light fading and shadows falling, my ex’s face looks more like the demon hiding behind the human mask he always wears, and I shiver involuntarily.
When hetakesa step toclosethe distance between us, someone moves in his way.
